Transvaal B cricket team in 1971–72

"See also: 1971-72 South African cricket season"

Transvaal B v Orange Free State (29 October-1 November)

"Transvaal B (8pts) drew with Orange Free State (8pts)"

Transvaal B won the toss at the New Wanderers No. 1 Oval at Johannesburg and elected to bat, and they soon found themselves struggling on 127 for 8. They were then rescued by a partnership of 99 before tenth man Danzel Becker was out for 36, but the hero of the innings was Kevin McKenzie's who made 127, his maiden century, as Transvaal B totalled 228. Stuart Gardiner took 5 for 68 for Orange Free State. Orange Free State's reply was more steady, but they could only match their hosts 228. Transvaal B's second innings was much better, and James Breakley's 84 saw them to 308. However, they hadn't quite left themselves enough time, with Orange Free State finishing the match on 243 for 9, after being 201 for 8 one hour before the end, and so Transvaal B ended one tantalising wicket away from victory. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28677.html Scorecard]

Transvaal B v Northern Transvaal (10-13 December)

"Transvaal B (6pts) drew with Northern Transvaal (5pts)"

Transvaal B won the toss at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg and chose to bat. They then proceeded to put on 333 all out in 121.5 overs, with Duncan Lindsay-Smith top-scoring on 87, but with only 225 scored off the first 85 overs they only secured 2 bonus points. Northern Transvaal countered with 229 for 9 declared off 80.4 overs, conceding a deficit of 104. On a pitch favouring the batsmen, Transvaal B then made the mistake of delaying the declaration too long, their 239 for 5 setting a target of 344 in 310 minutes. Northern Transvaal got as far as 194 for 4 when heavy rain and hail brought an end to the match with 2 hours to go. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28701.html Scorecard]

Natal B v Transvaal B (27-29 December)

"Transvaal B (18pts) beat Natal B (5pts) by 7 wickets"

Transvaal B achieved the first win of the season after winning the toss and putting Natal B into bat. This paid early dividends as Natal B lost half their batsmen for 68 before a rearguard fightback from Graham Dyer, Michael Smithyman and Marshall Riddell saw them to 248 all out. Transvaal B replied strongly, however, posting 348 all out. 4 wickets from Albert During helped dismiss Natal B for 283, which translated to a target of only 184, which Transvaal B got just before a thunderstorm came over the ground 58 minutes from time. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28720.html Scorecard]

Border v Transvaal B (1-4 January)

"Border (14pts) beat Transvaal B (7pts) by 141 runs"

At Jan Smuts Ground in East London, Border won the toss and batted first. Vivian Greve took 7 for 71 as Border were all out for 162 off 73.4 overs. Transvaal B countered with 231 all out off 90 overs, a lead of 69. Border's top order soon wiped the deficit off, with the second wicket only going down once 201 was on the board. Miles Harvey top-scored with 117, as Border's 304 all out set a target of 236 runs. Roy Taylor (7 for 45) and Alan Ward (3 for 42) then whittled through the Border batting for 94, Transvaal B's lowest score to date, in under two hours for a comfortable 141 victory. During the match Border's wicket-keeper Charles Pope's 9 catches set a new record for a South African. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/f/28/f28731.html Scorecard]